Welcome to an Engaged Community

There's a better way to personalize your website experience. With myConnection, the profile you create allows you to set up a unique starting point for the tasks and transactions that you want to complete in your time on this website. Use myConnection to gather the information that you most care about from across this website into one central location, giving you greater control over how you connect with your community.

Redevelopment - Its the "revitalization" of a public area. AND, the "preservation" of a community's history. Its about building cohesiveness within "our community."

Community Redevelopment Agency (“CRA”) refers to a public entity created by a city or county to implement the community redevelopment activities outlined under the Community Redevelopment Act which was enacted in 1969 (Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes). The CRA is established by the local government and functions within that local government. The City Commision sits as the Community Redevelopment Agency and makes all final decisions on actions or expenditures within the CRA (area).

In 2005, City established the Amelia River Waterfront Community Redevelopment Area (CRA). The purpose of the CRA is to identify objectives and strategies for addressing the conditions of blight in a manner appropriate to the community. A Finding of Necessity (FON) was accepted by the City in 2004 citing the following conditions were present in the area:
Inadequate street layout, parking facilities

The railroad divides the waterfront district from the Centre Street area, limiting access to the waterfront.

Lack of pedestrian facilities along Front Street.

Parking facilities at the south end of Front Street are unpaved.

Unsanitary or unsafe conditions

Economically obsolete industrial buildings adjacent to Front Street.

Industrial debris and deteriorating pier structures.

Sense of safety for pedestrians arriving from cruise ships due to lack of pedestrian facilities along Front Street.

Illegal dumping in vacant lots.

Deterioration of site or other improvements

Deterioration of structures on industrial, commercial, and public properties.

Inadequate and outdated building density patterns

Lack of buffers between industrial and residential uses.

Lack of usability by pedestrians and bicyclists.

Traffic flow for industrial uses.

Amelia River Waterfront CRA Plan Summary:

Act as a catalyst for change by creating functional and aesthetic improvements to spark redevelopment

Take a leadership role in efforts --> “visual evidence” that the City believes in itself

In 2012, the Commission appointed an advisory board to research, investigate, and consider options that would support accomplishment of the CRA plan and its goals. The advisory board consists of 7 member that fall into one of the following categories and 1 non-voting City Commissioner:

3 – Legal Professional or Financial Professional or Marketing/Advertising/Branding Professional or Economic Development Professional or General Contractor or Developer or Project Manager or Real Estate Professional or Architect or Engineer or Landscape Professional or Former City Commissioner

2 – City Residents or Property Owners or Business Owners

1 – Business Owner or Property Owner (or their agent) within the Amelia River Waterfront CRA

1 – Resident of the Amelia River Waterfront CRA or within one-mile radius

The board currently meets twice each month on the 1st Thursday of each month at 3:15 PM at City Hall. Members of the public are always welcome to attend and particiapte in discussions.

The City of Fernandina Beach, in its provision of services to citizens and visitors, ensures freedom from
discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status.•Anyone with concerns about discrimination, or requests for special accomodation ortranslation services shouldcontact the City Clerk at (904) 310-3115, TDD/TTY 711
•This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.•
Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to apublic-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.